Emmy Nomination Preview 2012 - Outstanding Drama Series

'Justified'

"Justified" (FX)

Nomination Status: Ask yourself: As much as you [or I] enjoy "Justified," what is *likely* to get pushed aside for it?

In Its Favor: "Justified" made a big creative leap between Season 1 and Season 2 and Emmy voters rewarded the show with four fresh Emmy nominations. Season 3 wasn't a big step down from Season 2 and I'd continue to put "Justified" on my own lists of TV's six best dramas. It's marvelously written (Graham Yost and company have been generally ignored by awards voters), flawlessly acted (at least Emmy voters realize that) and it's gaining a cumulative weight with every passing season. I am not an Emmy voter, however.

Working Against It: TCA Awards voters at least nominated "Justifed" for Program of the Year last year. It didn't win. Otherwise, "Justified" continues to be ignored by Golden Globe voters and SAG Award voters. I just can't imagine any circumstance in which "Justified" is able to move ahead of enough Emmy favorites to make the field.